Influence of Enchytraeidae (Enchytraeus albidus) and compaction on nutrient mobilization in an urban soil

Soil compaction is an often-recorded characteristic of degraded soils, and—along with soil sealing and contamination—frequently found in urban habitats. Knowledge about the impact of soil degradation on the ecosystem functioning in urban environments is limited, although urbanization is the major ongoing land use change worldwide. Since urban soils are a potential habitat for soil animals, and burrowing soil fauna exerts a profound impact on the structure and functioning of soils, we studied the impact of increased bulk densities on the ability of Enchytraeus albidus (Enchytraeidae: Oligochaeta) to penetrate compacted soils. Moreover, it was our aim to characterize the influence of the worms on the mobilization of nutrients in urban soils. E. albidus was able to enter compacted sandy loamy soil columns with a bulk density of up to approx. 1.4 g cm⁻³, but only up to approx. 1.0 g cm⁻³ in pure sandy soil columns. Soil compaction increased the amounts of water-extractable sodium (7.5%) and magnesium (13.4%) compared to the non-compacted soil. Presence of E. albidus in the non-compacted soil resulted in higher water-extractable concentrations of sodium (17.4%), potassium (16.8%), calcium (11.3%), magnesium (13.2%), dissolved organic carbon (DOC, 14.5%) and nitrate (20.4%) in soil extracts. In the compacted soil, however, the enhanced nutrient availability due to the activity of the enchytraeids was less pronounced than in the non-compacted soil. Although the concentrations of DOC (13.5%), nitrate (15.6%), calcium (5.8%) and magnesium (4.0%) were significantly higher in the presence of E. albidus than in the columns without animals, the performance of the animals was partly impaired. This was most likely due to the higher penetration resistance of the compacted soils. The degree of compaction investigated in this study was relatively low-chosen to allow for the colonization of the soils by E. albidus. We conclude that the observed negative effects of increased bulk densities on the activity of soil enchytraeids can occur in any more frequented city park, thereby decreasing turnover rates and the supply of soil nutrients in urban ecosystems.     

Acibenzolar-S-methyl doses and application methods to Pratylenchus brachyurus control in maize

Pratylenchus brachyurus is one of the main limiting factors of agricultural yield in annual crops, particularly due its difficult management. Methods to reduce populations are constantly sought, and the use of resistance inducers deserves attention. Thus, the study aimed to assess the effect of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) application in different doses to P. brachyurus control in maize. Initially, 1000 specimens of P. brachyurus were inoculated in maize for the multiplication. After 60 days, the aerial part (AP) was discarded and maize was sown under the treatments: seed treatment (ST), application in the AP and ST?+?AP, in the doses of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0?g i.a./L. Vegetative and nematological parameters were assessed 60 days later. ASM did not affect plant growth, but reduced nematode population in all the treatments. The treatment methods did not differ and reduced the number of nematodes/g root by 64.25 to 80.14% compared to the control. The doses of 0.6, 0.51 and 0.65?g i.a./L promoted the most reductions in the number of nematodes/g root when applied in ST, AP and ST?+?AP, respectively. Thus, we recommend the use of ASM applied on shoot in a dose of 0.50?g i.a./L.     

Plasmid DNA immunization with Trypanosoma cruzi genes induces cardiac and clinical protection against Chagas disease in the canine model

The only existing preventive measure against American trypanosomosis, or Chagas disease, is the control of the transmitting insect, which has only been effective in a few South American regions. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent this disease. Here, we present the clinical and cardiac levels of protection induced by expression to Trypanosoma cruzi genes encoding the TcSP and TcSSP4 proteins in the canine model. Physical examination, diagnostic chagasic serology, and serial electrocardiograms were performed before and after immunization, as well as after experimental infection. We found that immunization with recombinant plasmids prevented hyperthermia in the acute phase of experimental infection and produced lymphadenomegaly as an immunological response against the parasite and additionally prevented heart rate elevation (tachycardia) in the acute and/or chronic stages of infection. Immunization with T. cruzi genes encoding the TcSP and TcSSP4 antigens diminished the quality and quantity of the electrocardiographic abnormalities, thereby avoiding progression to more severe developments such as right bundle branch block or ventricular premature complexes in a greater number of dogs.     

Sequencing of variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene for identification of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the intestinal microbiota of healthy salmonids

The aim of this study was to identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Thirteen LAB strains were isolated from the intestinal microbiota of healthy salmonids. A approximately 500-bp region of the highly conserved 16S rRNA gene was PCR-amplified and following this, a portion of the amplicon (272-bp) including the V1 and V2 variable regions was sequenced. The sequence containing both the V1 and V2 region provided strong evidence for the identification of LAB. The LAB strains were identified as Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus sakei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The method described was found to be a very simple, rapid, specific, and low-cost tool for the identification of unknown strains of LAB.     

Preparation of lignopolyols from wheat straw soda lignin

Wheat straw soda lignin was modified and characterized by several qualitative and quantitative methods such as (31)P NMR spectroscopy to evaluate its potential as a substitute for polyols in view of polyurethane applications. Chemical modification of the lignin was achieved with propylene oxide to form lignopolyol derivatives. This was performed by a two-step reaction of lignin with maleic anhydride followed by propylene oxide and by direct oxyalkylation under acidic and alkaline conditions. The physical and chemical properties of lignopolyols from each method and the subsequent chain-extended hydroxyl groups were evaluated. Direct oxyalkylation of lignin under alkaline conditions was found to be more efficient than acidic conditions and more effective than the two-step process for preparing lignopolyol with higher aliphatic hydroxyl contents.